Media Day: 10 things we learned

Giants.com highlights 10 things we learned as the Giants met the media Tuesday

1. Beckham is starting outside and working his way in. First-round draft choice Odell Beckham Jr. was asked on Tuesday about where he’s lining up at wide receiver. Like what was said by the team after he was drafted, Beckham is here to be an outside threat to help Eli Manning and complement Victor Cruz, who is more of an inside receiver.

But the rookie is learning all the positions. “I kind of taught myself the X right now and learned the Z as well, just so when you’re in the two-minute [drill] and you don’t switch sides, you know exactly what’s going on,” said Beckham, who added he models parts of his game after Cruz. “And then you move onto the inside because coach said he would love for me to go inside and do some things. I’m just kind of learning it all, day by day.”

2. Richburg will see some time at guard. The Giants picked up a center in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the selection of Weston Richburg. But the 50-game starter at Colorado State said he will see some reps at guard this summer, which isn’t surprising on an offensive line that preaches versatility. “I was told I’d be in at guard a couple times, but it’s only been a week,” he said. “So that’ll come, but [I’m] just focusing on learning everything right now.”

3. Free agency process was “very difficult” for DRC, but he felt comfortable with Giants. It only took a few text messages from his old Cardinals teammate and current Giant Antrel Rolle to make cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie feel like he could fit into the team. He chose Big Blue from multiple suitors around the NFL. “Just really relying on what Antrel said and what the coaches said and knowing him and knowing how he plays and just looking at the secondary and the things they accomplished later in the season,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “I think I can just come here and fit in well with them and go where they’re trying to go.”

4. Robinson is “pretty frustrated” but is moving forward. Since being drafted in the fourth round by the Giants in 2012, tight end Adrien Robinson has played in just three career games with no catches. But all he can do is focus on 2014. “Everyone wants to play as soon as they get here,” Robinson said. “But there’s nothing you can do about injuries, and that pretty much took up my whole second year, so I’m just moving forward from that.”

5. Giants want Kennard to learn the middle and strongside linebacker roles. Devon Kennard, who was a compensatory draft pick by the Giants in the fifth round, split time at defensive end and linebacker during his college career at USC. In the pros, the Giants want him to learn the middle and strongside linebacker positions. “So I’m kind of doing some dual learning and making sure I know both,” he said.

6. There is a level playing field on offense. Not only are there nearly as many newcomers as there are returning players on offense, but they’re all starting from scratch under a new offensive coordinator. That means rookies, despite not having a traditional rookie minicamp because of the late draft this year, are learning a new system just like the veterans. They’re all in it together. “It’s nice that way, especially with the new offense, we’re all kind of learning together,” said veteran guard Geoff Schwartz, who signed with the Giants this offseason. “And you can gel at the same time.”

7. New offense suits Nassib. The new system under offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo has yet to be revealed, but from what we can tell, it’s going to be up-tempo and the philosophy is to attack. The change to West Coast concepts might benefit second-year quarterback Ryan Nassib, who primarily played that style at Syracuse and is currently competing for the backup spot behind Manning. Nassib was asked if the new system fits his skillset better. “Yeah, more or less,” he responded. “Getting the ball out quick, having a good running game and playing fast, which is something that I think I do pretty well and something that I fit pretty well into.”

8. Big Blue is a perfect fit for Andre Williams. A Heisman Trophy finalist last year at Boston College, running back Andre Williams was drafted this month in the fourth round by his hometown team. He grew up in New Jersey and lives in Pennsylvania. “I’m coming back home,” he said.

9. Versatile Berhe is playing free safety. Fifth-round selection Nat Berhe, who played a hybrid safety-linebacker role at San Diego State, has been placed at free safety by coaches so far. “I think that’s a good fit for me,” he said. “I think it’s a good fit for me on this defense and gives me the ability to do a lot of things, which I’m used to, so it’s a pretty good deal.”

10. Bromley will try to be effective at any weight. Marc Ross, the Giants’ vice president of player evaluation, said after the selection of Jay Bromley that the defensive tackle can get bigger and could possibly and easily get to 315-320 pounds. The third-round choice was asked about it today, saying right now he is between 303-304 pounds after playing his heaviest at 296 during his senior season at Syracuse.